Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Description
A serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. It affects the nervous system, leading to muscle stiffness, typically starting with the jaw muscles (lockjaw). It is not spread from person to person.
Common Symptoms
- Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles (trismus or lockjaw)
- Stiffness of your neck muscles
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stiffness of your abdominal muscles
- Painful body spasms lasting for several minutes
Common Causes
- Caused by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which are found in soil, dust, and animal feces. The spores enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a cut or puncture wound.
Treatment Information
Requires emergency and long-term supportive care in a hospital. Includes wound care, medications to ease symptoms (sedatives, muscle relaxants), and a course of tetanus antitoxin and antibiotics. Preventable through vaccination.
Important: This information is for educational purposes only.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.